BFI Café

I had a fantastic experience at BFI Bar & Café. The atmosphere strikes the perfect balance between relaxed and vibrant, especially with its Southbank location — ideal before or after a film. The service was genuinely outstanding. The team were attentive without being intrusive, efficient during busy periods, and clearly well-trained. Drinks were prepared with precision and consistency — you can tell there’s strong leadership behind the bar. The cocktails were balanced, well-presented, and delivered quickly even at peak time. What impressed me most was the professionalism of the staff. They handled volume smoothly, maintained cleanliness, and kept the energy positive throughout the service. It’s not easy to manage high footfall with that level of composure, but they made it look effortless. Great drinks, solid food offering, and a team that clearly cares about standards. Highly recommended. I’ll definitely be back.

The bartenders are skilled and can do classic cocktails if they have the ingredients. Very chill vibe. They have cozy sofas and big arm chairs

Delicious vegan options, a lovely setting, and an excellent location. The only issue was the service — the waiters could be more attentive and avoid keeping guests waiting.

Cafe staff are lovely but my my have the prices shot up since I last visited. I don't even feel like going there to relax for a coffee anymore because of how expensive it is. Not so convinced by the hospitality of management either, particularly one. Love the BFI however, been coming since the 80s. Would be a shame for it to be spoilt by unwelcoming air from a manager.

I ordered a medium glass of wine, but the curly-haired blonde girl behind the bar charged me £10. When I asked if she had charged me for a large one, she said, “You asked for a medium,” and just added a bit more wine. She didn’t seem to care and didn’t even apologize. It really looked like she was doing me a favor by serving me.